A meeting at the home of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya attended by Opposition chief Raila Odinga and controversial Jubilee vice-chairman David Murathe has sparked debate in Mt Kenya. 

Others at Munya’s Nairobi residence were Kiambu Governor James Nyoro and senators James Orengo (Siaya), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira) and MPs Otiende Amolo (Rarieda) and Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga).

Though packaged as an initiation ceremony for Munya’s son, the presence of Odinga and Murathe has triggered murmurs that the former Meru Governor  was the favoured candidate to steer his agenda in Mt Kenya East region.

Munya is caught up in a vicious supremacy war with Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi for control of Mt Kenya politics which has dragged along senator Kindiki Kithure of neighbouring Tharaka Nithi.

Meru County Assembly minority leader Ayub Bundi who spoke to People Daily yesterday said there are strong indications that he will emerge to play a key role in Gema politics. 

Promised support

“I can say this without fear that Uhuru and the First Family has a lot of confidence and trust with Munya and currently he is a member of Uhuru’s ‘Kitchen Cabinet’, “added Bundi.

Munya’s supporters think that the CS has started overshadow Kiraitu, a veteran of Meru politics.

A week ago during the Assembly Deputy Speaker’s election Kiraitu lost to Munya despite campaigning tirelessly to have his supporter,  Elijah Thuranira MCA  Kibirichia ,take the seat against his opponent Julius Murega (Municipality ) who is a strong critic of the county chief.

In the House that has a total of 68 members it was alleged that Kiraitu met 44 members both from Jubilee and PNU who promised to sing to support his candidate,  but only 23 members remained loyal and voted for Thuranira, with 44 others voting for Murega, 

During the meeting in Nairobi,  Murathe  endorsed  Munya as the most suitable spokesman of Mt Kenya East.

“Meru is in Mt Kenya and in the formation that is coming, we have agreed that by whatever means Mt Kenya must be in the government and I announce to you today that the pace setter in the region will be Munya whether they like it or not and those who are defying that can continue and swallow a razor blade,”Murathe said at the weekend.

He also indicated that  Munya will be the most sought-after politician in the region if the Building Bridges Initiative report which proposes an expanded Executive is implemented.

While welcoming Raila at the ceremony,  Munya said the Handshake between him and Uhuru will radically transform the country.

“The Handshake is so real and those doubting it are in the dark.   I can assure you that I am fully inside it and will support it to the end, “Munya told the gathering.

Tigania MP David Karithi reckons that  Munya is being pushed by senior politicians from Mt Kenya East to seek one of the five seats to occupy one of the five top seats proposed in the BBI report.

“I know Munya is currently receiving a lot of pressure with a section of Meru leaders and residents calling on him to come back for the governorship seat while others are pushing him to take over Mt Kenya mantle and help the region remain in the national lame light and continue enjoying the share of the national cake in the next formation,” said the former PNU legislator. 

Radically transform

Igembe North MP Maoka Maore and EALA MP Mpuru Aburi accompanying Munya at Ndumuru in Tigaina East threw their weight behind the CS saying they are devoted to support his political dream come 2022.

“Munya has proved to be powerful and visionary leader both in Meru and in the country as a whole now we want him to take chance and consolidate Mt Kenya votes and   lead us to somewhere because he can and we are right behind him and we will support him to the end,” said Mpuru. 

Kiraitu who has similarly been vocal on political direction of the region, has also claimed that they will only work with the presidential  candidate who will be a friend of Meru community.

“We are not as stupid as we look politics is a game of numbers and political arithmetic’s so this time we don’t want to be left in the cold we will walk in the same direction and speak in one voice come 2022,” noted Kiraitu.

Munya is not open about the position he is going for and has on various occasions, said he is on recess from the political scene, mostly informed by his cabinet position, but his close minders have been adamant that he is taking a stab at the  position he held until 2017.